Rifaximin for use in the treating of vaginal infections

Abstract

This disclosure relates to rifaximin—for use in the treatment of bacterial vaginal infections. The disclosure also relates to the use of rifaximin for treating infections characterized by the presence of bacteria that may be clindamycin and/or metronidazole resistant. The disclosure also relates to the use of rifaximin to treat patients with vaginal infections who have relapsed following prior treatment or who have bacteria resistant to antibiotics other than rifaximin.

1 . Rifaximin for use in the treatment of a bacterial vaginal infection in a patient, comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of rifaximin to said patient, wherein said bacteria include at least one bacteria strain that is resistant to an antibiotic other than rifaximin. 
     
     
         2 . Rifaximin for use in the treatment of a bacterial vaginal infection according to  claim 1 , wherein said antibiotic is clindamycin or metronidazole. 
     
     
         3 . Rifaximin for use in the treatment of a bacterial vaginal infection according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one strain of resistant bacteria is selected from the group consisting of  Prevotella, Anaerococcus, Finegoldia, Peptoniphilus, Anaerococcus, Peptoniphilus, Megasphera, Mobilincus  and  Atopobium.    
     
     
         4 . Rifaximin for use in the treatment of a bacterial vaginal infection according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one strain of resistant bacteria is  Prevotella.    
     
     
         5 . Rifaximin for use in the treatment of a bacterial vaginal infections according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one strain of resistant bacteria is  Prevotella bivia.    
     
     
         6 . Rifaximin for use in the treatment of a bacterial vaginal infection according to  claim 1 , wherein the infection is bacterial vaginosis. 
     
     
         7 . Rifaximin for use in the treatment of a bacterial vaginal infection according to  claim 1 , wherein said rifaximin is administered in a daily dosage comprising from 20 to 2000 mg, wherein the dosage form is selected form the group consisting of tablets, coated and uncoated tablets, bioadhesive tablets, controlled release tablet, multi layer tablets, capsules, ointment, cream, gel, foam, and vaginal solutions. 
     
     
         8 . Rifaximin for use in the treatment of a bacterial vaginal infection according to  claim 6 , wherein the daily dose is less than 100 mg. 
     
     
         9 . Rifaximin for use in the treatment of a bacterial vaginal infection according to  claim 1 , wherein said patient is non responsive to clindamycin. 
     
     
         10 . Rifaximin for use in the treatment of a bacterial vaginal infection according to  claim 1 , wherein the patient is non responsive to metronidazole. 
     
     
         11 . Rifaximin for use in the treatment of a bacterial vaginal infection in a patient, comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of rifaximin to said patient in combination with one or more additional antibiotics, wherein said bacteria is at least one strain that is resistant or less susceptible to said one or more additional antibiotic. 
     
     
         12 . Rifaximin for use in the treatment of a bacterial vaginal infection according to  claim 11 , wherein said one or more additional antibiotics is administered to said patient is either serially or in conjunction with rifaximin. 
     
     
         13 . Rifaximin for use in the treatment of a bacterial vaginal infection according to  claim 11 , wherein the one or more additional antibiotics is selected from clindamycin and metronidazole. 
     
     
         14 . Rifaximin for use in the treatment of a relapse bacterial vaginal infection in a patient, comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of rifaximin to said patient, wherein a previous infection was treated with one or more antibiotics other than rifaximin. 
     
     
         15 . Rifaximin for use in the treatment of a relapse bacterial vaginal infection according to  claim 14 , wherein the infection is bacterial vaginosis. 
     
     
         16 . Rifaximin for use in the treatment of a relapse bacterial vaginal infection according to  claim 14 , wherein said bacteria include at least one bacteria strain that is resistant to said one or more antibiotics used to treat the previous infection. 
     
     
         17 . Rifaximin for use in the treatment of a relapse bacterial vaginal infection according to  claim 14 , wherein said previous infection was treated with clindamycin or metronizazole. 
     
     
         18 . Rifaximin for use in the treatment of a relapse bacterial vaginal infection in a patient, in association with clindamycin and metronizazole wherein the therapeutically effective amount selectively reduces an amount of vaginal pathogenic bacteria, including  Prevotella  strains. 
     
     
         19 . Rifaximin for use in the treatment of a bacterial vaginal infection according to  claim 18 , wherein the infection is bacterial vaginosis. 
     
     
         20 . Rifaximin for use in the treatment of a bacterial vaginal infection according to  claim 18 , wherein the rifaximin is vaginally administered. 
     
     
         21 . Rifaximin for use in the treatment of a bacterial vaginal infection according to  claim 18 , wherein therapeutically effective amount of rifaximin is a daily dose from 20 to 2000 mg. 
     
     
         22 . Rifaximin for use in the treatment of a bacterial vaginal infection according to  claim 21 , wherein therapeutically effective amount of rifaximin is a daily dose is less than 500 mg. 
     
     
         23 . Rifaximin for use in the treatment of a bacterial vaginal infection according to  claim 21 , wherein therapeutically effective amount of rifaximin is a daily dose is less than 100 mg.